Airlines
COVID-19 Update: #TogetherinTravel, AC, Porter
Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) launched a new marketing campaign, #TogetherInTravel, aimed at galvanizing the global travel and tourism community and showing how the sector is a vital part of our zest for life. The campaign encourages travellers from around the world to share the hashtag #TogetherInTravel along with a video simultaneously uniting everyone in solidarity at the same moment. The marketing campaign comprises three key elements: A highly visual and emotive video (https://we.tl/t-fn2UIxLe6N ). A hashtag, #TogetherInTravel, to stimulate the conversation across...
Emirates Making It Simple
Emirates has updated its COVID-19 travel waiver policies into one simplified approach for rebooking and refunds on tickets issued in all its global markets. Adnan Kazim, Emirates' chief commercial officer said: “The travel and airline industry have complicated rulebooks for how fares, re-bookings or refunds are applied, which also differ depending on market regulation. We understand that explaining and unravelling all of that is confusing and frustrating for customers. The COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented for everyone, and we'd like to thank our customers and trade partners for...
An Update On Operations From Etihad
Etihad Airways is advising that subject to UAE government imposed travel restrictions being lifted on passenger travel, it plans to operate a reduced network of scheduled passenger services from May 1 to June 30, with the aim of gradually returning to a fuller schedule as and when the global situation improves. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/hQJvLOStz3A The carrier said that it is also continuing to operate a growing schedule of special passenger flights allowing foreign nationals in the UAE the opportunity to travel out of the country, and to carry essential belly-hold...
A Message From Sunwing’s Stephen Hunter
"In uncertain times, one thing is certain - our commitment to Canadians,” writes Sunwing Travel Group's CEO, Stephen Hunter to begin his message to the Canadian travel trade. Says Hunter: “We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has created stress and uncertainty for all Canadians and we want to keep you informed about what we’re doing at this time to support our customers, employees and all other Canadians.” And he continues: “First and foremost, on behalf of Sunwing, I hope that you and your loved ones are staying safe. There’s no question that COVID-19 has hit the...
COVID-19 Hits Travel Search Hard
In a newly released study, trends data provider, SEMrush has analyzed the impact of COVID-19 on online behaviour to reveal that travel sectors and travel companies have been hit the hardest. According to SEMrush data, Google search volumes for the major global airlines fell significantly between January and March 2020 as the outbreak spread and flights were grounded. Branded searches within the overall industry average declined 16.2% from January to February, followed by an additional decrease of 6.7% between February and March. The worst-hit overall were China Southern (down...
Outbound Canada Tracking The Changes
The Conference Board of Canada’s Outbound Canada reports that outbound service on Canadian carriers has now been reduced by 3.5 million direct seats throughout the first half of 2020. Almost all of this decline is taking place in Q2. And although minor increases are currently being reported for June, massive declines have occurred in April and May. So far, Canadian carriers have decreased service by 94.2% in April and by 54.9% in May for a total loss of 3.3 million seats compared to 2019. Further worsening the overall impact is the cancellation of flights operated by airlines...
Revenues At Risk
In an updated analysis, IATA says that the COVID-19 crisis will see airline passenger revenues drop by $314 billion in 2020, a 55% decline compared to 2019. On 24 March IATA estimated $252 billion in lost revenues (a drop of 44% compared to 2019) in a scenario with severe travel restrictions lasting three months. IATA’s updated figures reflect a significant deepening of the crisis since then, and reflect the following parameters: Severe domestic restrictions lasting three months Some restrictions on international travel extending beyond the initial three months ...
Air Canada Updates Altitude Members
Air Canada has announced a number of updates for Altitude members to ensure their status remains in effect until they are able to resume flying. The changes include the extension of current status until the end of 2021, the ability to share any status achieved in 2020 with a loved one, and new opportunities to qualify for Altitude status and earn Aeroplan Miles from home. Mark Nasr, vice-president, loyalty and eCommerce at Air Canada, said that: “Loyalty is a two-way street – certainly in good times, but especially so in hard times. Altitude members have shown outstanding...